There are plenty of words to describe the Oregon Country Fair. Some might
call it an art-fueled creativity fest. Others might think of it as a
tree-hugging nature gathering. You might know it as a wonderfully surreal
fantasyland or an age-old Oregon staple.

Tickets are on sale today for the 45th annual event. This year you can buy admission at the fair itself, but you'll
save yourself a few dollars (and possibly a headache) by buying in advance.
Prices run $23 to $25 for individual days, or $58 for a three-day pass. Kids
under 10 get in free, while adults over 65 get a discounted price.

Parking will cost you as well, to the tune of $10 per vehicle
per day (or $8 in advance), but you can always save the hassle and the money by
taking the Lane
Transit District bus for free.

The Oregon Country Fair isn't exactly an event that will
sell out (correction: yes it is), but because organizing a trip can be something of a headache, it's
best to get all your ducks in a row now, so you can spend the spring perfecting
your stilt walking, working on your henna skills or sifting through the deluge of performers
that will make the fair a strange and beautiful experience.